Dresses, Shoes and Random Ballroom Dance Divinity

Last night attended not one, but TWO dance parties.  I started out at Gotta Dance, a studio I frequent for social dances.  It was a great time, but I left early to attend an 'alumni party' at Premiere Dance, the studio I took lesson at before I switched to my current coach, Marcel.  It was so good to see old friends and dance with people I hadn't danced with in a very long time. Of course, I danced myself into a satisfying, sweaty dance frenzy.

I also made a quick trip yesterday to the newly opened Ross store.  They have racks and racks of cute dresses. Can't wait to go back.

I fell in love with this dress; it was priced at $13.99!

OH, I thrifted too...between my lesson, seeing my 'ward' and the dance parties.  When I started thrifting, I said I would NEVER buy shoes.  I guess I lied.  I found these lovely Eurosoft shoes at an 'upscale' consignment shop for $12.00.  I don't think they have even been worn.

Manas, Lea Foscati

I also found these palpitation inducing Italian made sandals for $12.00!  I adore the style.  I looked up the brand online and found similar styles for around $150.00.  The sizing on the bottom is international sizing and they are stamped "made in Italy".  I love them...I feel so European chic in them.

Ross, $7.99

I wore this last night to the dance parties.  So comfortable!  I paired it with a wide black belt.

$16.50!

Not a thrift purchase, but deeply discounted New York and company dress. Went in to pay my CC bill, walked out with this dress.  I DID pay cash for it...as I have vowed not to use credit cards anymore.  A couple months ago, I had been eyeballing this dress at full price. 

Jones Wear, thrifted, new with tags, $20.00.  Original price marked  $80.00

This was also thrifted at the same consignment shop where I found the shoes.  Still had the tags on it!  I don't usually visit consignment shops, because they can be overpriced on some items.  Since I often find items at the Goodwill that are brand new, brand name and in excellent condition, it makes more sense to shop there.  This shop drew me in though, with a lovely window display filled with beautiful dresses.

I've made a commitment to wear a dress every day for the rest of the until it's too cold to wear dresses.  I may end up wearing trousers more often than I intend to when the semester begins again...especially on teaching days...but I'm going to wear dresses as much as possible.

Now for the Dancing Divinity!

I thought I would share some of the lovely jewelry I wear for dancing.

http://www.designsbylyn.com/

Ballroom jewelry is not typical jewelry.  It is preferable that there is no metal on any piece.  It lies flatter, is lighter and more comfortable and holds up to sweat and action without irritating the skin like metal can.

Danceshopper.com

I made these earrings and the barrette...if you look closely, you can see hairspray residue on the barrette.  Dancers frequently re-spray their hair between dance heats.  

purchased from a competition vendor

My favorite necklace; I wear it with my green competition dress.

I wear this for showcase performances

This necklace does have metal as it is not true ballroom jewelry.  I wear it for showcase performances and keep my competition pieces strictly for comps

This picture represents a decision I am most proud of.  My new friend Stacy is wearing a dress that I had purchased for myself a couple of years ago.  The dress really did not flatter me and was too long.  It also needed to be taken in at the waist and shoulders.  It needed a lot of work to fit me.  More than I was prepared to have done.  I purchased the dress because I loved the color, and another of my professional favorite dancers wore a dress this color.  You can see that dress in the video link below...the dance and the dress are breathtaking!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2qGMeXd5c8

It's a striking color, but it's not a good one for me.  The dress was a mistake for me.  It hung in my closet and I felt terribly guilty for buying it.  I purchased my pink dress and my green dress and was happy with them...but felt awful about this purchase that just didn't suit me.  I toyed with selling it but hadn't decided which venue to use to sell it.  Then I was approached by a male dance friend who's amateur partner was looking for a blue dress.  He knew I had this dress.  She tried it on and it fit her perfectly.  It looks so beautiful on her, doesn't it?  She's buying it and is so excited to have her first ballroom dress!  I'm selling it for 25% of what I paid for it.  That's the decision I'm proud of; I wanted to help make it possible for her to buy her first real ballroom dress, without gouging her budget. Quality ballroom dresses are very expensive.  It's not an easy task to buy a ballroom dress!  I have made many, many dress mistakes before I figured the whole thing out.  There are many things to consider; color, fit, comfort, appropriateness for the dancing, noticeability on the dance floor.  The dress must fit like a glove and stay put.  It has to have a built in body suit to accomplish this.  It has to have movement on the floor..the bottom has to twirl and swirl and float when dancing.  And, a proper fitting and beautiful dress allows the dancer peace of mind on the comp floor...when it's right, it's one less thing to be distracted by.  There's so much more to consider than I can write here.  It's a big decision, and it's hard to find a first dress...at an affordable price.

http://www.designsbylyn.com/

This is Stacy.

Doesn't she look lovely?  She is so thrilled to have found this dress.  It looks so much better on her than it does on me.  It belongs to her.  I'm so happy to have been able to help her with this.

I am an encourager.  I enjoy encouraging people to achieve their goals.  I love sharing information I have gleaned from my mistakes and experiences.

Can I encourage any of you to dance?